The Toronto waterfront is teeming with swarms of Midges, dark clouds consisting of millions of these tiny bugs. Cycling through the swarms leaves one's face, throat and nose coated with the insects; the swarms are unrelenting. I've tried masking but find it extremely uncomfortable and sweaty. I've taken to pinching my nose and holding my breath. I have ordered an Ultra Mesh Head Net. I also try to ride directly behind another rider and let him take the brunt of the swarm.

There is no strategy. Ride elsewhere.

Getting behind a single or, better yet, group of riders works well. It’s just annoying that I can’t blast past them.

Do what you did last year.

I may just push through. Once you get over the “ick” factor, as long as the Midge swarms don’t get under your eyewear, they offer a good source of protein.

Try riding behind a pack of cyclists instead of tricyclists.

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Carry a few ketchup packages from a local fast food hamburger shop. It makes swallowing those midges a more tasty experience.

Try an insect net. I may get one for the spider webs when is warms up.

https://www.rei.com/product/799982/s...YaAsenEALw_wcB

Buy some mosquito netting and make a mask out of it. Or just do what I do and tolerate it until they are gone. Though getting one stuck in the back of the throat or down in the wind pipe is annoying.

I tried a neck gator once. But when riding hard, the body heat I generated made that material around my neck intolerable very quick.

Serious response here:

How about a bandana or strip of cheesecloth around the nose & mouth?

Are you having problems with them getting in your eyes too? If so, Amazon sells Wynd glasses that have a vented gasket to (kind of) seal to one's face, but let just enough air through to keep them from fogging. Except when you stop, they'll still fog.